Colorado
Strong winter storm impacting southern Colorado today
Today’s Forecast:
Our well-advertised winter storm impacts us today in southern Colorado. Rain and snow showers are ongoing along the I-25 corridor, southern mountains, and eastern plains. Several lightning strikes were detected overnight on the eastern plains due to instability in place with this potent system.
Various winter weather alerts are in effect:
Snow totals will depend on elevation, with the rain/snow line hovering around 6,000 feet today. It will drop down a bit this evening, so any remaining rain/snow after 8:00PM will have a better chance of falling as snow at elevations as low as 5,000 feet.
Very solid Gulf of Mexico and Pacific moisture, combined with a rapidly strengthening surface low to our southeast producing good upslope, will combine to produce heavy rain and snow rates. When we get these heavy precipitation rates, our air cools – so despite marginal temperatures, expect more snow than rain today, particularly above 6,000 feet in elevation. While snow will continue all day, I expect two rounds of heavier snow. The first will be this morning into early afternoon as very strong upslope flow combines with a bit of instability (thunderstorm energy) to produce strong snow rates. Snow continues through the afternoon, and may again be heavy at times mid-afternoon and the evening as the low begins to move away. As it does so, our airflow will “stretch out” a bit, and this stretching gives the air a bit of energy to produce banding snow. There’s a bit of a question as to whether this energy stays along the I-25 corridor or moves west – which will affect our snow timeline. I’m leaning it sticking west of I-25, but east of the mountains for now, which keeps snow in our forecast through the evening.
Snow showers will become more sporadic tonight, with a few lingering into tomorrow morning before the entire system rolls away by afternoon and sunshine returns.
Colorado Springs forecast: High: 38; Low: 25.
Rain and snow. Snow generally above 6,000 feet – west of I-25, with rain east toward the airport and Fountain. Patchy fog will also roll through the area. Snow totals will vary by elevation with the highest totals in Briargate, Rockrimmon, and other higher elevation portions of the Springs. Snow will generally end around 10PM tonight, with remnant showers possible through Sunday morning.
Pueblo forecast: High: 43; Low: 27.
Rain for the most part due to warmer temperatures from your lower elevation relative to other regions. Rain will be heavy at times. It’ll also be breezy with a north wind increasing in the afternoon to 10-25 mph. Overall, a fairly dreary day but you won’t need the shovels! Tonight, you’ll cool down. Remnant moisture could fall as snow, so in a high end scenario you could get an inch of snow from this storm.
Canon City forecast: High: 41; Low: 29.
Rain and snow mix, with snow whenever the precipitation is falling more heavily. Snow gets heavier late this afternoon before ending around 11PM/12AM – with remnant showers still possible until early Sunday. Your best chance for accumulations come tonight.
Woodland Park forecast: High: 32; Low: 18.
WINTER STORM WARNING in effect until Sunday at 5:00AM.
Snow. Heavy – both in rate, and type…very water heavy and spring-like. Good for making snowballs, heavy to shovel. Continuous snow ends by 11PM with hit-or-miss snow showers continuing into early Saturday.
Tri-Lakes forecast: High: 29-32; Low: 20s.
WINTER STORM WARNING in effect until Sunday at 5:00AM.
Plains forecast: High: 40s; Low: 30s.
Snow. Heavy at times with 1-2″/hr rates possible. Snow gets lighter during the mid-afternoon, with parts of the area potentially seeing an end to snow. However, snow generally should continue into the evening.
Walsenburg and Trinidad forecast: High: 36; Low: 23.
WINTER STORM WARNING in effect until Sunday at 5:00AM.
Snow, heavy at times, with a rumble or two of thunder possible. Snow will become more hit or miss tonight.
Mountains forecast: High: 30s; Low: 20s.
WINTER STORM WARNING in effect until Sunday at 5:00AM.
Heavy snow with high accumulations. Northeast winds at 10-15 mph. Patchy blowing snow tonight.
Extended outlook forecast:
Highs return to the 50s Monday with a period of relatively calm weather before we bring in more clouds Tuesday as a system moves into the mountains. Our next chance for unsettled weather looks to be late next week, as our next upper level trough approaches.
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Curious about the First Alert 5 Weather Storm Impact Scale? Check out our cheatsheet explainer.
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Colorado
Julian Lewis Says Deion Sanders’ Colorado ‘Wasn’t Really Looking at Defenses Much’ Last Season
Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis made a stunning admission that could explain the team’s 3-9 finish to the 2025 season.
While speaking to ESPNU at Big 12 media days, Lewis was asked what the biggest difference was between last year and this year, and he revealed that the Deion Sanders-coached Buffaloes typically didn’t watch film during his first season with the team.
“My play, I’m actually looking at the defenses now,” Lewis said. “Last year, we wasn’t really looking at defenses much, just kind of high school free-balling, just out there playing football. But it’s a lot bigger than that now, so it should be fun.”
Before taking a redshirt year, Lewis played in four games as a true freshman with two starts and threw for 589 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions while completing 55.3 percent of his passes. He should fare even better this season with the benefit of film study.
Lewis will enter the 2026 campaign as Colorado’s starting quarterback, so he will have the opportunity to show his improvements when the Buffaloes open the year against Georgia Tech on Sept. 3.
State and federal agencies are starting to reopen public lands, state wildlife areas and a segment of the Colorado River that were closed in light of the Snyder Fire in Mesa County.
Stage 2 fire restrictions — banning all open fire or flames, including charcoal grills and wood-burning stoves — remain in effect as extreme fire danger, spurred on by hot and dry conditions, persists across the region.
The Snyder Fire started on Friday, June 26, when several smaller fires burning on the Colorado-Utah border combined. As of July 7, the fire was 98% contained after burning over 30,200 acres and killing three wildland firefighters.
With fire activity decreasing and containment increasing, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Bureau of Land Management shared their plans Tuesday to reopen lands impacted by the wildfire.
Parks and Wildlife said in a news release that it, alongside the Bureau of Land Management, had lifted the closure for public access and downstream recreation on the Colorado River, starting at the James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park in Fruita and extending to the Utah state line. It also reopened the boat ramp at the Fruita section of the James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park in Fruita to downstream traffic.
The state agency’s Horsethief State Wildlife Area in Fruita and the Loma Boat Launch State Wildlife Area also reopened.
The BLM said in a news release that all lands within the perimeter of the Snyder Fire burn area remain closed to ensure public and firefighter safety.
“The burned landscape — including vegetation — remains dynamic and unpredictable as it naturally recovers from the fire impacts. This order is effective immediately and will remain in effect until the order is rescinded,” the BLM said.
Both agencies also warned that fire danger remains extremely elevated and Stage 2 fire restrictions are in place.
A map of current federal and state fire restrictions is available on the Rocky Mountain Area Interagency Fire Restriction Dashboard or by visiting DFPC.Colorado.Gov/sections/wildfire-information-center. The Colorado Trails Explorer (or COTREX) app also has wildfire closure alerts.
Under current conditions, Parks and Wildlife advised the following actions to prevent sparking wildfires:
- Use established rings: Where permitted, only build campfires inside permanent metal fire rings in designated campgrounds.
- Clear nearby debris: Remove all dry grass, leaves and pine needles within a 10-foot radius of any flame.
- Drown and stir: Extinguish fires completely with water, stir the ashes, and ensure the debris is cold to the touch.
- Watch campfires constantly: Never leave a fire or portable stove unattended. If you see an unattended fire, call 911.
- Keep vehicles off brush: Avoid parking or idling cars on tall, dry grass where hot exhaust systems can ignite a fire.
- Secure towing equipment: Ensure trailer safety chains do not drag and spark against asphalt. Check them at every stop.
The BLM added that under its Stage 2 restrictions, smoking is prohibited except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
Gas-powered stoves or grills with a shut-off valve are still allowed in cleared areas under this stage.
Violating Stage 2 fire restrictions by lighting a campfire is a Class 2 misdemeanor. Violators face an immediate citation, a mandatory court appearance, steep fines and potential jail time. Additionally, you can be held financially liable for all fire suppression costs and property damage if the campfire sparks a wildfire.
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